My initial impressions after a few days ice climbing with them are not very favorable. Let's start with the good stuff: they seem very durable. The leather is high quality and the seams are well placed. Obviously only the test of time will tell, but I don't anticipate these gloves falling apart.

Downsides: they're VERY bulky. I cannot envision myself ever leading with them, as I can barely operate a carabiner. They're quite thick, so I got pumped gripping my tools and belaying with them. And, they're not too warm. My fingers were getting cold on a warm day (25 degrees) after standing around for an hour.

I have also worn the Black Diamond Renegades, which I could lead ice in: they were thinner and warmer than these. That said, they're surely less durable (no leather).

I ordered these gloves for leading ice and they're not going to work.

1. They are a weird shape. Aside from the L being slightly too small for me (fine - maybe I am an XL in this glove), the glove was extremely constricting around my thumb pivot. Friends with smaller hands who tried them on felt the same way. This unusual constriction prevented me from effectively gripping anything.

2. These are thick gloves, not really suitable for grabbing anything. Far, far too thick on the palms - so I was getting pumped really easily.

3. There are some weird seams and lots of extra leather on the fingertips. Also not ideal for leading ice.

Needless to say, I am sending them back.

Mostly for around the house, in all honesty, but every once in a while I suck it up and go winter camping, and occasionally I'm not going super light. And then I get to bring these and revel, yes, revel in how warm and cozy my toes are.

Well, they finally departed from the gold and blue that has become so iconic. But don't worry, these ascenders are still the standard by which others are judged. They are extremely functional and secure. Too bad about the colors though.

If you accept it for what it is (not rain protection), this softshell is great. In particular, I like the long arms, the general athletic cut, and the large hood. It breathes super well, is pretty durable, and has only the features I need (ie, not too many pockets, etc.). Looks pretty good for the apres-climb too.

Cons: it's not a hard shell. So when the mountain is spitting a nasty mix of stuff at you, this is going to be the first layer to get wet. And get wet it will. That's a tradeoff I choose to make, but it's a choice you should make consciously, not unconsciously.

I have the men's version from two years ago and it is one of my favorite sleeping bags. It really nails the boundary between ultra-light and durable, and keeps me very warm in the process. This is my go-to bag for summer alpine climbs and bivy kits.

Ultra-durable, never leaks, comes in great sizes (personally I prefer my 6l), switches to a hydration system when you want it to. No flavors from it, caps are well-designed with the three openings. Basically MSR took the concept of lightweight water storage and perfected it.

This stove has been around forever and no competitor has ever matched up for simplicity, durability, and repairability. Extremely functional and reliable. Not the lightest or fanciest, perhaps, but totally trustworthy. The Internationale 300c is worth the extra bucks.

I really don't like the feel of this helmet. It feels obtrusive rather than natural - the head cradle parts occasionally dig into my scalp, and it feels like it is sitting way too far back on my head. I went back to my BD Half Dome almost immediately.

I love these pants - they are cozy, good-looking and functional. Patagonia pants are a little baggy for my taste, so I only give them four stars. Everything else is right - the jean-style pockets, the right number of belt loops, etc. The details are good, just the fit is baggy.

Great shape and size, nice and simple.

I don't own one, alas, but have used a friend's several times and been very pleased. Best of all, like all Deuter packs, it's super super super durable.

This is a nice tent - it's spacious and light.

The third pole is a poor design, however - it ripped through the fly fairly quickly. And the vestibule isn't a very good shape, in my opinion - making it pretty small. Finally, when it's windy, the tent just doesn't feel that solid - frankly I think they went a big bit for a standard two pole X design.

Overall, I'm kind of unimpressed, especially considering MH's usual excellence with tents.

This sweet tent comes in 2, 3 and 4 person varieties and it is the most thoughtfully designed, bombproof and generally sweet tent I have ever had the pleasure of using. Twin doors, twin vestibules, sensible features.

And it's really, really heavy.

This is a hunker-down-for-two-weeks-and-wait-out-the-storm tent. It's a high-altitude-basecamp tent. It's a rainy-and-windy every day sort of tent.

What it isn't: for light and fast expeditions on big (or small) mountains.

But if weight isn't an issue, you won't find a better or more bombproof tent.

Extremely light and simple, this headlamp is a gem. In particular, I love the wide vs. narrow beam option, the blinking batter meter, and the boost mode.

Tilt function will not fail like other brands eventually will.

This headlamp is great for around camp and other general use, but is not bright enough for an alpine start.

This thing is significant improvement over a daisy - it solves the danger of mistakenly clipping only the tack-stitching on a daisy (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be17lI-rVyU). And it's stronger than a daisy - if anyone is ever bored, go drop a hundred pound weight onto a daisy as though that hundred-pound weight were standing precariously above the anchor.... it won't hold.

What it doesn't solve is the fact that both this and a daisy are STATIC. That's why a daisy doesn't hold that 100 pound drop, and why this thing isn't really safe. You should always tie to your anchor WITH YOUR ROPE - clove hitch or figure eight or whatever - because the rope is dynamic. So if you slip while precariously balanced above the anchor, or get hit by a rock, you might actually have some hope.

When you're rappelling, tying in with the rope obviously isn't an option. Solution: tie yourself a Prussel Prusik and keep that on your harness. - it's more adjustable than this thing and it's dynamic.

Previous reviewers got it right.

These skins stick like crazy and it's great. They don't glide that well. The glue is decent and holds up reasonably well (if you take care of it, obviously).

Downside: when they get wet, they stretch, and then the Clipfix system doesn't work too well because you can't tighten it down. Then the gobs start getting in between the skin and the ski, and that sucks.

Conclusion: good skin, Clipfix best for dry snow conditions.

I love these goggles - the fan actually works at keeping fog away, and they fit very well over my glasses.

I have a number of different lenses for different conditions - which is nice. I particularly like the Sensor mirror.

Only downside is that they are very big and look a little goofy, even with a helmet.

I've got this thing in white and it's easily the comfiest helmet I've ever worn. Vents are great, shape is perfect, I like the visor. Totally sweet helmet.

The shape, gate opening, and smooth screw-lock of this carabiner make it my favorite extra-large.

And still fairly light, in comparison to others of its size.

Good way to store screws and keep them sharp. Light enough to carry to the base. I have yet to see a better option.

Too bulky and too heavy. I don't like these at all. Thin spectra/dyneema may not be quite as durable, but it's pretty damn good. Every ounce matters.

And low-profile and well designed.

Buy one, but then stick to the #1 rule: don't ever need it!

Dig a pit; it's really not that much effort.

These are the best. Learn to place them - they fit where nothing else will, they're light (yeah, the big sizes are great too!), and as fusionboy points out - pink is the best. Especially when you're 50 ft. above your last piece on easy slab and the only hole in the rock is a little pocket thing (Whitehorse anyone?).

Way, way, way better than hexes for large pieces in the mountains, unique placements that are irreplaceable in the small sizes. Get some.

These are seriously inferior to Metolios Master Cams, and obviously even more inferior to Aliens.

Why? Because the head is suuuper wide. That means it won't fit in those tiny pockets it is designed for.

Also, the lobe shape is poor - not nearly bulbous enough (Master cams do this better, Aliens do it far better). So what, you say? It reduces the range of each cam, and makes the fit worse. I've seen these pop twice, which is scary. Never seen an Alien or a Master cam do that, and I've used the latter a lot more.

I love C4s but these kinda suck.

Super expensive but it's finally here: the lightness and gate reliability (low gate mass reduces accidental openings, they last long, etc.) and the wonderful simplicity and pump-saving keylock.

Best of both worlds - soon there will be little else on my rack.

Best delay device I have yet found.

Smooth operation, good auto-blocking, fairly light. Works for ascension too.

Don't hesitate - just get it.

Super light and low-bulk.

Cheap.

Not keylock biners - if that's important to you (it should be).

But it's heavy. Hey - it's a deadman. 4 stars because I know of no lighter option, if this is what you need.

This is a nice all-around crampon - works well on mixed snow/ice terrain, and light enough for glacier work. In particular, I like the shape of the frontpoints, especially for vertical snow conditions (they get nice and wide near the back of the fps).

That said, you can't replace them. You have to replace the whole front piece, which is obnoxious.

Finally, I can find no discernible advantage to the Sidelock. In fact, it's kind of a pain in the ass.

BARELY fits the Sarkens. Pretty frustrating... especially when it's cold and windy and you're tired, etc. etc.

It's a durable bag with a mesh side which helps prevent rusting.

That said, there are better options.

It seems worth noting that Petzl crampons now come with these included. So don't make the mistake I did and buy the antibots as well.

This is clearly not a leash for vertical ice climbing - way too fussy and difficult.

Even for alpine axes, it's kind of a pain, though it is light and simple. Mandatory two-hand operation, and sometimes it can essentially become frozen shut and then require a lot of force to release.

But only about five of 'em. So get two. And it's not so great if you have a bunch of different types of screws - works much better with one consistent screw shape.

Lightweight but not super-light (so it actually feels kinda durable).

Definitely the most comfortable helmet I've ever tried.

Why look farther?

Just don't, erm, take off your glove and accidentally drop the bottom half.....

Seriously, though, they're excellent leashes. Light, simple, easy to manipulate with big mitts/gloves.

They stretch out A LOT. At least two sizes. So then they're basically only good for all-day adventure climbs. Which is fine: some shoe has to fill that role.

These shoes require a lot of breaking in. But once you do it, it is soo worth it.

They stick well, they edge well, they smear decently. I have very wide, flat feet and they aren't particularly comfortable - but hey, they're not supposed to be.

You won't be disappointed.

Really puts the weight in the front of the tool, which makes my swings easier and my arms less tired. Obviously not the choice for alpine adventures.

What it is: an ultra-light, shi#tty knife that you won't care about, don't mind losing or destroying, and will primarily be used for cutting cheese.

And it's great. Cuts cheese like a charm, doesn't rust, hasn't broken.

Thinner than the older orange version, though they both claim to be 1 inch.

Still, incredibly comfortable, super-lightweight and low-bulk. I love how far inflatable mattress tech. has come in the last ten years.

Easy 5 stars, no cons.

I like the light weight, the simple battery-pack design, and the diffuser (wide angle vs. beam mode).

It could be a little brighter... hence the four stars. Fine for late-night descents and final-pitch topouts - not sure it could quite handle an alpine start in an alpine environment.

I've skiied with these on my Havocs for a season now, with mid-stiff cartridges, and I wasn't very impressed. They transfer power okay but nothing even close to the responsiveness of a Hammerhead (or Bishop Bomber, for that matter).

They also came undone quite often, even when I tightened them down like crazy (on size 28 Garmont Ener-G boots).

And, unlike Hammerheads or 01s, they suck at touring.

Of course the very notion of a quiver of one is total BS. Yet these do pretty well.

Float in heavy powder, plenty of control on the groomers. I use them mainly on the East, but I like having the flexibility for taking them out West.

If your wallet will only support one ski, this is an excellent choice.

Black Diamond has made huge advances with their trekking poles since my last pair. These are far, far lighter than my old ones, the Flicklock is more secure (though it can still slip when heavily weighted), the pole bends less (thanks to the elliptical design) and the single-length bottom section is ingenious.

If you hate the way screw-locks break and you don't like those damn shock absorbers, buy this pole. You won't regret it.

Very light, nice and supple, highly durable. I own these in a number of different lengths, and they are my favorite Dyneema/Spectra slings.

WARM! This thing is super-warm for its weight and bulk (something to do with the weave, I think), the hood is dorky-looking but super functional (especially if you're going to be wearing it under a climbing helmet), the thumb holes are excellent and the change in the thickness in the lower torso makes it great for wearing under a harness.

Definitely my favorite midweight layer. I ice-climb in midweight Capilene, this and a shell, and then keep my down hoody on the harness for belays. So basically it's perfect for intermittent high-output activities in the winter.

This jacket was never very breathable, but it was light and it was waterproof. For about 2 years - then it became a sponge. I reapplied DWR coating (twice) to no avail, and finally returned it to Patagonia. I love Patagucc gear (especially my DAS, my down hoody, and my long underwear) but their h2NO fabric is far, far behind its competitors. Buy your rain gear elsewhere.

Two stars because it started out waterproof, and because Patagonia guarantees its gear as well as or better than any company on earth.

In the past I have been a huge fan of Mammut ropes - they are supple and workable, and (especially my favorite, the Infinity 10.0) they last a long time.

These ropes did not even come close to meeting those expectations. I took them on a single trip (the Torment-Forbidden Traverse in the North Cascades) and they were both totally trashed after just five rappels. One took a core shot and the other had an abrasion that is close enough to a core shot that it needs to be retired.

This is frustrating because a. I didn't take any lead falls, b. the damage points were at quite different spots, so it wasn't as though a particularly sharp edge did them both in and c. Mammut has been extremely uncooperative in living up to their warranty which, according to their website, should cover the ropes except in cases of improper use or normal wear and tear.

Well, five low-angle rappels leading to a core shot is not normal wear and tear in my book, and frankly I was expecting a bit more from Mammut as a company.

I've liked their ropes in the past, but these ropes couldn't handle alpine rock and Mammut won't stand by their products. Here I come, Edelweiss.

Worst shoe I have ever owned. Started to fall apart after two days of semi-rugged use (trail walking, some rock scrambling). The soles are delaminating, several of the loops that hold the laces broke, and they offer almost no support at all. Serious waste of $65.

Owned these for about five years now and they are easily the best boot I've ever owned. They do everything - I've taken them to the deserts of New Mexico, all over the White Mountains of NH, into Nepal for trekking/mountaineering in the Khumbu region.... they've handled everything. They're a heavy duty boot and they fit me wonderfully - but I have wide, flat fleet. With a many coats of mink oil, they are 100% waterproof. They aren't insulated, but can still handle snow and even vertical ice if you've got a nice warm sock. Buy these boots - you won't regret it.

NO. DO NOT BUY THIS. Buy yourself sixty or seventy feet of 1-inch tubular, three ovals and a nice present for your wife. Then buy yourself a bottle of the Glenlivet. Now treat yourself to dinner, and maybe a movie. You'll still be saving about forty bucks and you won't look like an idiot.

They haven't changed this shovel much, from what I can see. I've had mine for about six years and it does everything - kickers, the car, kitchens - never had to dig a friend out (thank god) but you get the idea. Never even managed to dent the thing. Just about perfect capacity, not too big, not too small.

Pros: D-Grip! I like mittens, what can I say? Unbreakable. Blade becomes a snow anchor. Extendable.
Cons: Heavy. Not ideal for long tours.

Absolutely the piece for serious activities in serious mountains. Bomber construction, very warm, helmet-awesome hood, gets all the details right. Not as light as down but that's the whole point - warm when wet. Wear it around Camp 4 on those surprisingly chilly May evenings, wear it while you're belaying cooking up some grub at 10,000 feet in the Canadian rockies, wear it while belaying your buddy up Dracula @ Frankenstein.

I like its athletic cut, I like that it isn't itchy (though I don't wear it as a base layer- I put it over a capilene medium crew), I like that it's light, and I like that it's a natural material. All that said - this shirt is VERY warm. If you're going to be active, don't wear this unless it is very, very cold out. I live and play in Vermont and I wouldn't wear this for an aerobic activity if it were more than 10 degrees.

Light, doesn't have an annoying handle mechanism like the Grivels, and is much easier to operate with bulky gloves than the BD Express. Comes with the cool ice flute thing for storing and racking. I think the best feature is that it's easy to use with bulky gloves, but the reduced likelihood of dropping a screw is pretty sweet too. Worth the money.

Light enough to use in the mountains, comfy enough for sport climbing. Safe buckles, good gear storage, durable. I love this harness.

This rope is fantastic. I had the 60M Superdry Yellow, and like all Mammut ropes, it starts out very supple and workable. This rope took a lot of abuse - two trips to Yosemite, a trip to Red Rocks, plenty of time at Cathedral and ice climbing in the White Mountains. Took plenty of falls, though nothing over 20 feet. Finally retired it about six months ago - but it's still in pretty decent shape. No sheath slippage, no hour-glasses. I'd buy another one in a second if I had $210.

Had one stolen (full of stuff!) and immediately bought a replacement. I don't own very many pieces of gear where that would happen. This pack does everything - cragging, mountains, ice, ski, weekend trips, etc. etc. Owned one for about 5 years - even bought a newer Marmot pack (one of their superlight ones of similar size, slightly more features, it has that ultralight material and frame. it's not commercially available because I got it at a vendor's tent sale) and I still like the Eiger better. Fit can take a heavy load, the brain is the right size, and the simplicity is wonderful, especially the single clip for the lid.

This is a fantastic pack.

I bought this jacket when it first came out six(?) years ago and I've worn it nearly every day of the fall and spring since, not to mention dozens of outing to climb ice and rock and everything in between. Excels in the mountains and around town. Easily the best jacket I've ever owned.